Predicting success with silicone-hydrogel contact lenses in new wearers.

Purpose: to evaluate changes in tear metrics and ocular signs induced by six months of silicone-hydrogel contact lens wear and the difference in baseline characteristics between those who successfully continued in contact lens wear compared to those that did not.

Methods: Non-invasive Keratograph, Tearscope and fluorescein tear break-up times (TBUTs), tear meniscus height, bulbar and limbal hyperaemia, lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), phenol red thread, fluorescein and lissamine-green staining, and lid wiper epitheliopathy were measured on 60 new contact lens wearers fitted with monthly silicone-hydrogels (average age 36±14 years, 40 females). Symptoms were evaluated by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

Functional and perceived benefits of wearing coloured filters by patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Background: The aim was to investigate the visual effect of coloured filters compared to transmission-matched neutral density filters, in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Visual acuity (VA, logMAR), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson) and colour vision (D15) were recorded for 39 patients (average age 79.1 ± 7.

Optical imaging of retina in response to grating stimuli in cats.

We examined the intrinsic signals in response to grating stimuli in order to determine whether the light-evoked intrinsic signals of the retina are due to changes in the photoreceptor activities induced by the image projected on to the retina or are due to neural activities of the inner retina. The retinas of the left eye of 12 cats under general anesthesia were examined by a functional imaging fundus camera. Near infrared light was used to monitor the reflectance changes (RCs) of the retina.

Visual outcomes and subjective experience after bilateral implantation of a new diffractive trifocal intraocular lens.

Purpose: To assess clinical outcomes and subjective experience after bilateral implantation of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL).

Setting: Midland Eye Institute, Solihull, United Kingdom.

Design: Cohort study.

The management of ocular allergy in community pharmacies in the United Kingdom.

Background: Ocular allergies frequently present in pharmacy practices. However, research into the actual management of ocular allergy in pharmacies is lacking.

Objective: To determine and quantify history and symptom questioning of a patient with presumed allergic conjunctivitis and management strategies employed by pharmacy staff in the UK.

The relationship between measurement method and corneal structure on apparent intraocular pressure in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: To analyse the relationship between measured intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) in ocular hypertension (OHT), primary open-angle (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes using multiple tonometry devices.

Methods: Right eyes of patients diagnosed with OHT (n=47), normal tension glaucoma (n=17) and POAG (n=50) were assessed. IOP was measured in random order with four devices: Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT); Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT); Reichert ocular response analyser (ORA); and Tono-Pen XL.

Clinical outcomes after implantation of a new hydrophobic acrylic toric IOL during routine cataract surgery.

Purpose: To assess the clinical outcomes after implantation of a new hydrophobic acrylic toric intraocular lens (IOL) to correct preexisting corneal astigmatism in patients having routine cataract surgery.

Setting: Four hospital eye clinics throughout Europe.

Design: Cohort study.

Design and validity of a miniaturized open-field aberrometer.

Purpose: To design and validate a new miniaturized open-field wavefront device that can be attached to an ophthalmic surgical microscope or slitlamp.

Setting: Solihull Hospital and Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Design: Comparative noninterventional study.

Multifocal intraocular lens differentiation using defocus curves.

Purpose: To determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the differentiation of multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) designs by using defocus curve assessment of visual capability.

Methods: Four groups of 15 subjects were implanted bilaterally with either monofocal intraocular lenses, refractive MIOLs, diffractive MIOLs, or a combination of refractive and diffractive MIOLs. Defocus curves between -5.

Clinical evaluation of the Oculus Keratograph.

Aim: To determine the validity and reliability of the measurement of corneal curvature and non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) measures using the Oculus Keratograph.

Method: One hundred eyes of 100 patients had their corneal curvature assessed with the Keratograph and the Nidek ARKT TonorefII. NITBUT was then measured objectively with the Keratograph with Tear Film Scan software and subjectively with the Keeler Tearscope.

Changes of corneal biomechanics with keratoconus.

Purpose: To perform advanced analysis of the corneal deformation response to air pressure in keratoconics compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods: The ocular response analyzer was used to measure the air pressure-corneal deformation relationship of 37 patients with keratoconus and 37 age (mean 36 ± 10 years)- and sex-matched controls with healthy corneas. Four repeat air pressure-corneal deformation profiles were averaged, and 42 separate parameters relating to each element of the profiles were extracted.

Refractive outcomes of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser.

Purpose: To study the visual and refractive outcomes after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) performed with a 213 nm solid-state laser for a broad range of refractive errors.

Setting: Private practice, Jersey, United Kingdom.

Design: Case series.

Effect of light-emitting diode colour temperature on magnifier reading performance of the visually impaired.

Background: As light-emitting diodes become more common as the light source for low vision aids, the effect of illumination colour temperature on magnifier reading performance was investigated.

Methods: Reading ability (maximum reading speed, critical print size, threshold near visual acuity) using Radner charts and subjective preference was assessed for 107 participants with visual impairment using three stand magnifiers with light emitting diode illumination colour temperatures of 2,700 K, 4,500 K and 6,000 K. The results were compared with distance visual acuity, prescribed magnification, age and the primary cause of visual impairment.

Development of a questionnaire to assess the relative subjective benefits of presbyopia correction.

Purpose: To develop a standardized questionnaire of near visual function and satisfaction to complement visual function evaluations of presbyopic corrections.

Setting: Eye Clinic, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Midland Eye Institute and Solihull Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Design: Questionnaire development.

How effective is low vision service provision? A systematic review.

Visual impairment is a large and growing socioeconomic problem. Good evidence on rehabilitation outcomes is required to guide service development and improve the lives of people with sight loss. Of the 478 potentially relevant articles identified, only 58 studies met our liberal inclusion criteria, and of these only 7 were randomized controlled trials.

A review of non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.

Allergic eye disease encompasses a group of hypersensitivity disorders which primarily affect the conjunctiva and its prevalence is increasing. It is estimated to affect 8% of patients attending optometric practice but is poorly managed and rarely involves ophthalmic assessment. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is the most common form of allergic eye disease (90%), followed by perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC; 5%).

The influence of corneoscleral topography on soft contact lens fit.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of peripheral ocular topography, as evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT), compared with traditional measures of corneal profile using keratometry and videokeratoscopy, on soft contact lens fit.

Methods: Ocular surface topography was analyzed in 50 subjects aged 22.8 years (SD ±5.

Accommodative amplitude required for sustained near work.

Purpose: Many practitioners base the prescription of near vision additions on the assertion that only one half or two-thirds of an individual's amplitude of accommodation is sustainable for a prolonged period. To better understand how much eye focus needs to be restored for presbyopic corrections to be adequate, this study investigated the robustness of the pre-presbyopic human accommodative system during a sustained and intensive near vision task.

Methods: Twenty-one pre-presbyopic volunteers (aged 26.

Role of contact lenses in relieving ocular allergy.

Purpose: To examine the potential barrier and lubricating effects of modern daily disposable contact lenses (DD) against airborne antigens.

Methods: Ten patients with skin prick and ocular conjunctival provocation confirmed allergic sensitivity to grass pollen were recruited (average age 27.4 ± 7.

Effect of uncorrected astigmatism on vision.

Purpose: To examine the effect of uncorrected astigmatism in older adults.

Setting: University vision clinic.

Design: Investigational simulation.

A novel, dynamic, in vivo, non-contact method of measuring oxygen depletion rate of the anterior eye.

Purpose: Despite the importance of oxygen measurements, techniques have been limited by their invasive nature and small corneal area of assessment. The aim of this study was to assess a non-contact way of measuring oxygen uptake of the whole anterior eye.

Method: The device consisted of a goggle with an oxygen sensitive material on the inner surface.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of the phakic crystalline lens during accommodation.

Purpose: To quantify changes in crystalline lens curvature, thickness, equatorial diameter, surface area, and volume during accommodation using a novel two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) paradigm to generate a complete three-dimensional crystalline lens surface model.

Methods: Nineteen volunteers, aged 19 to 30 years, were recruited. T(2)-weighted MRIs, optimized to show fluid-filled chambers of the eye, were acquired using an eight-channel radio frequency head coil.

Prevalence and impact of ocular allergy in the population attending UK optometric practice.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of ocular allergy in patients attending optometric practices in the UK West Midlands and the impact this has on patients' daily lives.

Method: Patients attending 9 optometric practices in the West Midlands, UK, were surveyed about the occurrence of ocular allergy, the severity of the symptoms and their treatment. Patients self-reporting ocular allergy were invited to complete a more detailed questionnaire.

Accommodating intraocular lenses: a review of design concepts, usage and assessment methods.

The correction of presbyopia and restoration of true accommodative function to the ageing eye is the focus of much ongoing research and clinical work. A range of accommodating intraocular lenses (AIOLs) implanted during cataract surgery has been developed and they are designed to change either their position or shape in response to ciliary muscle contraction to generate an increase in dioptric power. Two main design concepts exist.